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Friday, August 12, 2005

Best friends

I just found out my best friend, who I haven't spoken to in about a year, has been going through some emotionally traumatic times of late.

We met 25 years ago this past May. The first time we met, we rode down in an elevator together. She thought I was an airline pilot. And I thought she needed help.

The next time we met, a few weeks later, I was walking down the street, minding my own business, when I heard a voice from afar shout, "hey, I know that girl! She's a pilot."

Reflexively, I stopped. For half a second, I thought about just walking on like I'd heard nothing. Of course, I never do that. Instead, I looked in the direction of the voice and saw who it was. She was standing in the open door of an electronics store. I crossed the street and said, "uh, I'm a secretary."

She replied, "you'll always be a pilot to me." At that moment, I fell in love with her.

She said she had just bought a new color TV, and she needed help getting it home. Would I help her carry it. Since neither of us had a car, we each grabbed one side of the large and cumbersome box and heaved it two long city blocks to her apartment.

Now as I look back to those first few years, I can see how we went from being so much alike to almost polar opposites. So much separates us, not the least of which is the thousand miles between here and Florida.

But, somehow, even though we lived in close proximity for only the first couple years, and despite all the changes we've gone through since, an unbreakable bond was formed.

We always kept in touch. Until about a year ago.

It was something I said. This will sound really stupid to some. And it is. During the Republican convention last year, I made some unpleasant comments to her about certain members of her party. Repeating it here would serve no purpose, especially since the guy lost his Illinois senatorial bid. But, it obviously offended her ultra right wing conservative religious values, because I haven't heard from her since.

And I just now found out that she's hurting. So, I'm going to call her tonight when I get home. It's what best friends do.

UPDATE: We talked on the phone for over two hours. To sum it up: Tears, laughter, no politics, comfort.

Posted by Marie at August 12, 2005 4:07 PM

Comments

Neat story, Marie, and goodonya for getting in touch. Personally, I don't think a mere senatorial candidate, even one as loony as the one in question, should ever come between friends.